Boxing

LEIGH WOOD has spoken out on social media following his devastating defeat to Mauricio Lara in Nottingham.The 34-year-old was sent tumbling to the canvas by a brutal left hook in the round seven.
Leigh Wood was floored by a brutal left handCredit: Getty
Wood beat the count but trainer Ben Davison threw in the towelCredit: Reuters
Despite originally protesting, Wood took to social media to reveal he stood by the decisionCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Wood managed to clamber off the floor to beat the count, but coach Ben Davison had seen enough and threw in the towel.
In doing so the hometown hero lost his WBA featherweight title to the hard-hitting Mexican.
Leigh protested the stoppage but was out on his feet and needed oxygen from the ringside medics after the contest.
And in a Twitter post on Sunday, Wood said that he stood by Davison’s decision.
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Wood wrote: “Would like to thank everybody that turned out for me last night wasn’t my night but as always I’ll be back better than ever.
“Congratulations to Lara enjoy your victory & hopefully I’ll see you again soon.”
He then added: “Also I stand by my coaches decision I know he cares about me.
“Boxers sometimes have to be saved by themselves, I have more big nights ahead.
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“It was painful at the time but with my kids today, smile on my face knowing I’ll be back better than before like always.”
Wood had been ahead on the scorecards before his corner threw in the towel with just seconds left in the round.
And Tony Bellew claimed it was the WRONG decision to pull Wood from the fight.
He told DAZN: “I’m usually very rewarding to trainers for stopping fights like that. Listen, Ben Davison knew what he was getting into tonight.
“You’ve got to let him carry on, in my opinion. You know you are going to get hurt in a fight. He’s not completely gone because look at his reaction as soon as he sees that towel.
“He says ‘no, no, no, no, no’. I know what people are going to say that Ben Davison knows him better than anyone else. I get that.
“You know he was going to get hurt at some point tonight. You’ve got to let him ride it out.” More

MAURICIO LARA had to be separated from Josh Warrington by security moments after his brutal knockout of Leigh Wood.The Mexican mauler ripped the WBA featherweight title from Wood with a brutal left hook in the seventh round of their Nottingham dust-up.

Josh Warrington was ringside for Mauricio Lara’s clash with Leigh WoodCredit: Reuters
The former IBF featherweight champ had to be held back by security after being spat onCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
Former foe Warrington was ringside for Lara’s coronation on enemy soil – which almost ended with a post-fight punch-up.
The pair came face-to-face after Lara left the ring but were held back by the heavies at the Motorpoint Arena.
But a fired-up Lara managed to SPIT at Leeds lion Warrington before they went their separate ways.
Warrington told said: “As soon as the fight’s been waved off, he looks over to me. He sees me.
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“I actually thought he was looking over at times in between the fight.
“I got off my stool, his head goes forward, he spat on me.
“You know, I can have a little bit of pantomime – shouting and screaming – but somebody spitting on me?
“I’m not having it. It’s got to the stage now that he wants to finish my career – and I’m more than happy to let him have that opportunity.”
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Lara admitted to gobbing on Warrington, telling iFL TV when asked about the incident: “Of course I did.
“Because it’s personal between me and him. That’s the way it will always be.
“Of course, I do [want to fight him again]. I’m after you [Warrington]. I’m coming for you.”
Lara and Warrington’s clash has paved the way for a mouthwatering trilogy fight, which could potentially take place later this year.
But the rematch clause Wood had placed in his contract to face the Mexican could delay a third showdown.
After his heartbreaking defeat, Wood said: “I am a fighter I wanted to keep going but congratulations to Mauricio Lara.
“I made a mistake and I paid for it. I want the rematch, absolutely.” More

LEIGH WOOD needed oxygen after being brutal knocked out by Mauricio Lara.The 34-year-old’s reign as WBA (regular) featherweight champion came to an end in devastating fashion in front of his friends and family in Nottingham.

Mauricio Lara flattened Leigh Wood with a lethal left hook in the seventh roundCredit: Getty
A heartbroken Wood needed oxygen seconds after losing his world titleCredit: REUTERS
A lethal left hook in the closing moments of round seven from Mexican mauler Lara sent Wood hurtling to the canvas and nearly separated him from consciousness.
Wood beat the ten count but was all over the place, prompting trainer Ben Davison to throw in the towel seconds before the end of the stanza.
Leigh protested the stoppage but was out on his feet and needed oxygen from the ringside medics after the contest.
Wood was miles ahead on the scorecards before he had his clock cleaned and has set his sights on a rematch.
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He said: “I am a fighter I wanted to keep going but congratulations to Mauricio Lara.
“I made a mistake and I paid for it. I want the rematch, absolutely.”
Lara is happy to oblige, saying: “I have no problem coming back to [the] UK for Wood rematch.
“I’m just going to spend time celebrating with my father and my team.
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“All these people that have been around me.
“Those are the people I’ll celebrate with.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn said of a potential rematch: “Leigh Wood is going to be very frustrated because he was up on the scorecards by three rounds or two rounds, and was on the way to a massive victory.
“I was actually thinking a few seconds before the knockdown, ‘This is a great performance by a British fighter.’
“The one thing that nobody picked was Leigh Wood on points, and I thought this could be the way the fight is going.
“He’ll feel like he can beat Mauricio Lara. The decision now lies with Leigh Wood.
“Does he want to get back in fairly soon, which will mean getting back in camp fairly soon and rematch Mauricio Lara or does he let Josh Warrington fight Mauricio Lara, and he’s contracted to fight the winner?
“That’s how that would play out.”
Leigh Wood is hoping to rematch Mauricio Lara laterCredit: RICHARD PELHAM More

AS a man of a certain vintage, I remember the hype when Red Bull landed on our shores in the 1990s.A then teen, school lunch money was saved for a hallowed can of the fizzy beverage that promised to give me wings, but delivered an upset stomach. However, a sip of the energy drink was worth starvation at 13.
SunSport’s Jon Boon tries energy drinks Prime and FurocityCredit: Simone Boon
What tastes better? Prime or Furocity?Credit: Simone Boon
Today, it is Prime that is the talk of the world… and the playground. A quick look on eBay reveals bottles for sale for as much as £5,000, while the retail price seems to vary from £2 to a tenner in some newsagents, if you can find it.
Launched by YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul – they claim to have made around £300million from the energy drink, that’s available in a multitude of flavours, including tropical punch, ice pop and blue raspberry.
Not one to miss out on a marketing opportunity, Tyson Fury also has his own branded energy drinks, suitably named Furocity in four flavours – sour cherry knockout, black and blue raspberry, sour apple and original.
Available in Iceland and Asda, a can costs as little as a £1. Much better on the wallet.
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Accepting a bad night’s sleep ahead, I managed to get my hands on two flavours of Prime and two flavours of Furocity, in the name of research, to find out what tastes better.
Here are my thoughts.
Prime – Tropical Punch
Calories: 25
Fat: 0g
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Recommended retail price: £2
Jon says: First impression it’s an easy drink to neck – although at the prices some charge, you will want to savour it slowly.
There’s absolutely no fizz to it – and further sips con me into thinking I am drinking flavoured water.
It’s certainly hydrating, as is what is said on the bottle. Tropical, it is, punch – it packs that and a nice taste.
Dare I say, like my old friend Red Bull – it would make a mean mixer. Someone pass the vodka.
Tropical Punch is an easy drink to neck, says Jon BoonCredit: Simone Boon
Prime’s recommended retail price is £2Credit: Simone Boon
Prime – Blue Raspberry
Calories: 25
Fat: 0g
Recommended retail price: £2
Jon says: Never been a fan of raspberries. They are an overrated superfood that taste like nothing.
Prime’s blue raspberry drink, though, had me hooked the moment I took a tentative gulp.
Ultimately refreshing, I finished it very quickly. Again, it’s very easy to drink and very moreish.
The better of the two flavours, in my humble opinion.
Prime’s blue raspberry flavour is Jon’s favouriteCredit: Simone Boon
Furocity – Sour Cherry Knockout
Calories: 88
Fat: 0g
Recommended retail price: £1
Jon says: ‘Unlike my opponents, Furocity packs a real punch’. At least that’s what it says on the can, accompanied with a photo of a rather fierce-looking Tyson.
It’s got a bit of fizz, the equivalent to carbonated water I’d say.
Honestly, it takes a little bit like cherry cola, which isn’t a bad thing in my book.
At 500ml, it seems like a lot of drink. But I like this one.
Sour cherry flavour Furocity tasted a bit like cherry colaCredit: Simone Boon
Jon Boon thought Sour Cherry Knockout tasted like cherry colaCredit: Simone Boon
Furocity – Black and Blue Raspberry
Calories: 88
Fat: 0g
Recommended retail price: £1
Jon says: This is almost like a direct fight between Prime’s blue raspberry and this contender.
The flavour, itself, is OK. I prefer the cherry one. It’s quite harsh on the palate – same as before, a little too fizzy for my liking.
I’m not sure it’s good for the teeth either. A quick reveal of my tongue shows it to be bluer than hypothermia.
Ultimately, though, I feel full of energy and chatter.
Furocity’s raspberry flavour was hard to drinkCredit: Simone Boon
Conclusion
I’ve worked it out.
Furocity is clearly more aimed at adults, even though Prime suggests it shouldn’t be consumed by anyone under the age of 18.
It feels like more of an energy drink akin to Monster Energy – and would probably work well as an accompaniment to a work out.
It certainly filled me with more energy than Prime.
For flavour and an easier drink, Prime is most certainly the winner. I can’t say I felt the same energetic buzz like I did for Furocity. It is very refreshing though.
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Now, time to dust off the trainers and go for a run.
I am wired, and dreading trying to close my eyes for a wink of sleep later tonight.
Prime’s Blue Raspberry and Furocity’s Sour Cherry Knockout were Jon Boon’s favouritesCredit: Simone Boon
While Furocity felt like more of an adult energy drink, Prime certainly has a better and more subtle flavourCredit: Simone Boon More

LEIGH WOOD’S featherweight world title defence – billed as ‘Dance with the Devil’ – was ended by a left hook from hell.The 34-year-old Nottingham man was streets ahead on the cards against the Mexican 24-year-old Mauricio Lara, after six rounds.
Leigh Wood was brutally knocked out by Mauricio Lara in their WBA World Featherweight title clashCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Floored Wood was unable to recover after the brutal left hookCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
After the fight, Wood needed oxygen as he recoveredCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
But his short reign as a 9st king came crashing to a dead end when the little Devil – draped in red – scorched him in seven.
For six rounds Wood was fighting like an angel and close to setting up a summer showdown with Leeds legend Josh Warrington at the City Ground.
Then Lara – who refuelled at Friday’s weigh-in with a giant pizza and bottle of Coke – sliced his dreams apart with a sensational punch.
Both dangerous power punchers prodded out jabs in the the opener, then Lara skimmed Wood’s curls with the same left hooks that savaged Warrington back in 2021.
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The Gedling icon ended up landing the cleaner shots thanks to his longer levers and deafening crowd.
Wood came for the second with a blob of grease over his left eye trying to clog up a cut.
Lara could see and smell blood but it was the Brit who enjoyed most of the round until a right hook spun the fight on its head.
Wood was wobbled and staggering, he clung on to the steamrollering challenger and then tucked up and survived until the bell.
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Wood dominated Lara for six roundsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Blood pours from above Wood’s left eye after a clash of headsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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Wood dominated the third with precise and powerful punches, left hooks and right hands, that stopped the Bullish South American – nicknamed Bronco – in his tracks.
The Englishman landed flush and scoring blows in the fourth too but it was only his face that was reddening deeper and leaking more blood. Lara’s punches were less frequent but more vicious.
Wood’s 8,000-strong support were on their feet in the fifth when he winded the visitor with a right hook to his left flank. But the action was always on a knife edge.
The champion was magnificent in round six, he stunned Lara with a handful of arrow-like rights and made him miss like a drunken pub brawler. But the freakish little Mexican was still stalking him and showing no serious signs of lasting damage.
But then it all went wrong when a left hook robbed him of his senses.
Wood collapsed onto the floor and as he beat the count trainer Ben Davison wisely threw in the towel.
It was a tragic end by a scary fighter.
After the fight, a heartbroken Wood revealed his intentions for revenge.
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He said: “I am a fighter I wanted to keep going but congratulations to Mauricio Lara. I made a mistake and I paid for it.
“I want the rematch, absolutely.”
Mexican Lara celebrates his epic win over WoodCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Ben Davison congratulates Lara following the KOCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More